The first flood buyback auction of the year saw a packed house in Lismore overnight, as 60 attendees watched 10 homes go under the hammer for prices ranging from $5000 to $42,000.
Since December 2024, 140 buyback properties have been offered for sale across the Northern Rivers, sparking interest from across the country.
Last night’s event at the Lismore Workers Sports Cub, conducted by Wal Murray Lismore, attracted 34 registered bidders – including four joining by phone – resulting in 100% clearance rate and a total value of $266,100.
Auction highlights:
- 141 Dawson Street, Lismore: $27,000
- 157 Dawson Street, Lismore: $29,500
- 35 Ewing Street, Lismore: $42,000
- 25 Junction Street, East Lismore: $32,000
- 25 Charles Street, South Lismore: $40,000
- 3 Webster Street, South Lismore: $17,000
- 4 Crown Lane, South Lismore: $5000
- 38 Ostrom Street, South Lismore: $23,000
- 15 Second Avenue, East Lismore: $18,500
- 9 Barnes Avenue, South Lismore: $32,100.
The auction drew a diverse crowd of builders and young families, along with a new wave of buyers seeking to transplant these homes into ‘nature-filled’ rural setting.
With previous sales ranging from a nominal $1 to $200,000 the program has earned a reputation as one of Australia’s most accessible housing opportunities, drawing a national spotlight to the region’s recovery efforts.
All homes under auction have been purchased by the NSW Reconstruction Authority through the $880 million Resilient Homes Program, jointly funded by the NSW and Australian governments through Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
To participate, buyers must prove they have secured flood-free land for relocation before the end of 2026.
All NSW proceeds from the home sales (after costs) are reinvested into the Resilient Homes Program to support more flood-affected residents.
First National Real Estate will conduct the next flood auction at the Murwillumbah Services Club on March 17.
For more details on the upcoming auction visit: https://www.fnmurwillumbah.com.au/pages/real-estate/relocatable-homes
Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said:
“It brings me great joy to see these homes from our community repurposed for young families and first-home buyers, giving them the keys to a safer future on higher ground.
“These homes are part of mine and the wider community’s shared history, and this program has always been about people. Those who received a buyback, those giving those homes a second life.”
NSW Reconstruction Authority Executive Director Northern Rivers Adaptation Division Kristie Clarke said:
“This year is about delivery: rebuilding, relocating and renewing communities so the Northern Rivers is safer, stronger and more resilient for the future.
“Around a thousand homes will be bought back by the end of 2026, and we’re making a final push for 600 more households to strengthen their homes through Resilient Measures grants by mid-2027.
“As a result of these goals, we’re calling on builders and construction experts to join one of the biggest home resilience and relocation efforts ever undertaken in Australia on the back of these successful auctions.”